Car unloader



C. JENSEN CAR UNLOADER Filed 08. 27, 1933 5 SheetsSheet 1 INVENT OFQ v CHRIISTIAN JENSEN c A OR N Ey Oct. 29, 1940.

C. JENSEN CAR UNLOADER 5 Sheet-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 27, 1938 INVENTOR CHRISTIAN JENSE B7 4" ATTORNEY C. JENSE N' CAR UNLOADER Filed Dec 27, 1938 A-r-roRNEYs Oct. 29, 1940. -'c JENSEN 2,219,926

I CAR UNLOADER Filed Dec. 27, 1938 '5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Oct. 29, 1940.

c'. JENSEN CAR UNLOADER Filed Dec. 27, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 29, 1940 CAR UNLOADER Christian Jensen, Minneapolis, Minn, assign'or to Oar-gill, Incorporated, Minneapolis,

Minn a corporation of Delaware Application December 27, 1938, Serial No. 247,890

8 Claims. (01. 214-44) "This invention relates to new and useful improvements in car unloaders, and more particularly to such an apparatus adapted for unloading grain and other bulk material from railroad cars.

Numerous attempts have heretofore been made in an endeavor to develop an apparatus for unloading bulk grain from box cars, which would be practical and efiicient in operation and whereby substantially all of the grain could be removed from the car without manual labor. of my knowledge, none of the apparatus heretofore developed for this purpose have proven commerically practical. I believe it is safe to say that the reason these machines did not meet with success, was because they were complicated to handle and operate, and were not capable of removing all of the grain from the car. I am familiar with most present day apparatus for unloading cars, and the objections raised to their use. Unless an apparatus for unloading cars is simple to operate and economical in operation, and is so designed that by its use, substantially all of the grain in a car may readily and expeditiously be removed therefrom without manual labor, it will not meet with succws.

The car-unloadingapparatus herein disclosed is the result of a great deal of research and experimental work in an endeavor to provide such an apparatus in which all of the objectionable features hereinbefore mentioned have been eliminated. The present structure ofl'ers all that is desirable in such an apparatus as, for example,

it may be operated by a single operator; is efficient and economical in operation; is capable of removing substantially all of the grain from the car; its conveying means may be folded into a compact structure to permit easy passage through a car door; and it is comparatively simple and inexpensive in construction, whereby it may be manufactured at small cost.

An object of the invention therefore, is to provide an apparatus for removing bulk material from grain cars, particularly of the closed type, comprising a main conveyer and a plurality of articulated side or wing conveyers, having means whereby they may readily be extended into the ends of the car, whereby substantially all of the grain may be conveyed towards the center of the car, from whence it is discharged through the open door thereof by the main conveyer, into a suitable pit or receiving means.

'A further object is to provide a car unloader comprising a main supporting frame adapted to support the car unloader adjacent'to a railroad To the best track, said supporting structure having means for raising or lowering the car unloading apparatus, thereby to aline it with the level of the car floor, whereby the unloading apparatus may readily be moved into or out of the car. 5

A further object is to provide a car unloader comprising a main conveyer disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the car, and a plurality of side or wing conveyers disposed transversely to said main conveyer and having means 10 for extending them into the ends of the car, whereby all of the grain may be conveyed therefrom to said main conveyer which, in turn, dis-, charges the grain from the car into the usual pit.

A further object is to provide an apparatus, ofthe class described comprising a wheeled frame having a plurality of conveyer sections mounted thereon and operatively associated with one another, whereby when the apparatus is moved into a car, said conveyer sections may be extended into the ends of the car, so as to remove all of the grain therefrom and discharge it from the car through its open door, and an operator's station being located exteriorly of the car, whereby 25 a single operator may conveniently control the operation of the entire apparatus.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel construction of the apparatus, whereby the transversely disposed side or wing conveyer may 30 readily be extended to the ends of the car to remove substantially all of the grain therefrom; in the pivotal construction of the wing conveyers whereby they may be folded into nested position on the main frame of the apparatus, thereby to permit the entire apparatus to readily pass through the open door of a box car; in the means provided for supporting the unloading apparatus, whereby it does not require anchoring to a building, and whereby the entire apparatus is selfcontained, and may readily be moved about from place to place; in the unique construction of the side or wing conveyers which convey the grain from the ends of the car to the main conveyer, 45 said wing conveyers being made sectional or articulated, whereby they may be folded upon themselves, when initially started, and when the car is substantially full of grain, said articulated side conveyers being so constructed that they 50 may readily be unfolded and extended into the ends of the car, while in operation; in the simple and inexpensive construction of the entire apparatus; and in the arrangement of the control means whereby a single operator may readily 55 when unloading the contents of a car.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a sectional plan view of a box car with the car unloader positioned therein;

Figure 2 is a sectional view substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing in full and dotted lines, various positions of the side or wing conveyers;

Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus showing it in its normal inoperative position on the supporting frame, upon which it is supported when not -in use;

Figure 4 is a sectional plan view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, showing only the lower portion of the supporting frame;

Figure 5 is a sectional plan view on the line 5--5 of Figure 3, on a larger scale, showing the various motors for driving the various mechanisms of the apparatus;

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 3, showing the pinions on the unloader frame engageable with racks on the stationary frame, thereby to propel the unloader into and out of the' car;

Figure 7 is a, detail sectional view showing one end of the supporting frame;

Figure 8 is a vertical view on the line 88 of Figure 9, showing the driving connection between the clutches and the driving mechanism for the wing conveyers;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 99 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail sectional view substantially on the line IIlI0 of Figure 9, showing the drives for the wing conveyers;

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail sectional view substantially on the line IIII of Figure 1, showing the inter-locking engagement between the adjacent ends of the wing conveyers;

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view on the line |2-I2 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a detail sectional view on the line I3-I3 of Figure 2;

Figure 14 is a detail sectional view on the line Il-H of Figure 2, showing one of the bevel gear drives provided for the wing conveyers; and

Figure 15 is a detail sectional view on the line I 5I5 of Figure 2, on an enlarged scale, showing a portion of one of the telescopic shafts for driving the wing conveyers.

Supporting structures The novel apparatus herein disclosed is shown comprising a main supporting structure upon which the conveying mechanism is supported, when the conveying mechanism is not in use. This supporting structure is preferably located adjacent to a railroad track upon which the car to be unloaded is positioned in the usual manner.

The supporting structure, generally indicated by the numeral I, is shown comprising a pair of longitudinal frame members 2 supported upon suitable legs 3, I, 5, and 6. The end legs 3 and 8 control the operation of the entire apparatus, are secured together by cross members I adapted to be supported upon a suitable foundation, as best illustrated in Figure 3.

The conveying mechanism, subsequently to be described; is supported upon an auxiliary frame, 5 generally indicated by the numeral 8. This auxiliary frame comprises longitudinal frame members 9 mounted for vertical adjustment on the supporting structure I. Suitable means, such as depending members II, are provided on the auxiliary frame 8 for slidably engaging the four cornersof the supporting structure I, as clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, thereby to guide the auxiliary frame in its vertical movement. The side members 9 of the auxiliary frame 8 are secured together in spaced relation by suitable cross members I2.

The means provided for vertically translating the auxiliary frame 8 with respect to the supporting frame I, is shown comprising a plurality of arms I3, pivoted to the longitudinal frame members 2 of the supporting structure and carrying rollers I4 at their outer ends. These rollers are adapted to engage the lower edges of the side members 8 of the auxiliary frame 8, whereby the auxiliary frame is supported upon said arms. Connecting links I5 have their upper ends pivotally connected to the upper ends of the arms I3. The lower ends of said links are connected to a cross shaft I6 mounted for vertical movement in a gap I! provided between the legs 4 and 5 of the supporting structure I.

Drums or sheaves I8 are secured to a shaft I9 mounted in suitable bearings 2I secured to the side frame members 2 of the supporting structure. A cable 22 is wound about each drum or sheave I8. One end of each cable 22 is secured to its respective drum I8 and the opposite ends of the cables are suitably secured to the cross shaft I6, whereby the shaft is retained in its adjusted position by the cables 22.

Means is provided for rotating the shaft I9 to vertically adjust the auxiliary frame 8. The means provided for thus vertically translating the shaft I9, is shown comprising a longitudinally extending shaft 23 having a worm and gear drive connection with the shaft I8, as indicated at 24 in Figures 3 and 4. A suitable hand wheel 25 is secured to the outer end of the shaft 23, whereby the shaft I9 may be conveniently rotated by rotation of the wheel 25. If desired, other means may be provided for vertically adjusting the auxiliary frame 8 on the supporting structure I, without departing from the scope of the invention.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that the auxiliary frame 8 may readily be vertically adjusted upon the supporting frame I, by manipulationof the hand wheel 25, whereby the top of the auxiliary frame 8 may be suitably alined with the floor of the box car, partially shown at 26 in Figure 3. Suitable tracks 21 are shown secured to the upper portions of the side frame members 9 of the auxiliary frame 8, and longitudinally extending rack bars 28 are also provided on the auxiliary frame 8, for purposes subsequently to be described.

C'onveyer supporting frame The conveying mechanism comprises a frame including side plates 20 having their ends secured to upright posts "and 3|. A cross member 32 is interposed between the posts 29 of the side plates 20 to tie them together at their lower ends. A cross member 33 is also interposed between the posts 3| and cooperates with the cross member 32 75 2,219,920 to retain the side plates 23 in spaced parallel relaauxiliary frame 8 and supporting structure i are tion, open so that the grain discharged from the car A longitudinal frame. member 30 has one end portion secured to the cross members 32 and 33. The opposite end of this member is secured to a cross member 35 having its ends portion extending laterally from the longitudinal member 30 in a manner similar to the cross member 33. The frame member 38 is shown I-shaped in cross section, and may consist of a pair of channels placed back to back. It extends the full length of the apparatus and may be termed the back bone thereof.

An upright frame is supported on the longitudinally extending frame member 30, to support 1 the driving means for the conveying mechanism.

This upright frame is shown comprising a pair of channel-shaped posts 38 and 39, having their lower ends secured to the frame member 30. The upper ends of the posts 36 and 39 are secured together by a horizontal member 31, whereby a rectangular frame is provided. The posts 36 and 39 are suitably braced to the cross members 33 and 35, respectively, to provide a rigid frame structure.

Suitable brackets 34 and 40 are secured to the ends of the cross members 33 and 35, as best illustrated in Figure 3. The entire apparatus is mounted for traveling movement upon suitable carrying wheels or rollers 4i provided at the ends thereof, and which wheels roll on the tracks 21, shown in Figure 6.

To facilitate guiding the conveyer supporting frame into the car, a shoe 58 is secured to the longitudinally extending beam 30 of the frame adapted to engage a roller 60 mounted in suitable brackets secured to the end of the auxiliary frame 8. The shoe 58 engages the roller 60 before the carrying wheels 4i disengage the tracks 21, whereby the gap between the end of the auxiliary frame and the floor 26 of the car is bridged by the shoe 58 until the carrying wheels 4! engage the floor of the car, as best shown in Figure 7.

Main conveyer A main conveyer, generally indicated by the numeral 42, is shown comprising a pair of chains 43 having flights 44 secured thereto, the lower edges of which are adapted to substantially engage the floor of the car, as will be understood by reference to Figure 3. The chains 83 are supported at one end of the structure upon suitable sprockets secured to a shaft 45, and at their opposite ends by suitable sprockets 46 secured to a shaft 41. The shaft 41 is driven by a chain drive 48 from a motor 49 shown suspended from a platform 5i which provides the operator's station.

A motor 52 is shown mounted upon a suitable platform '53 provided between the side plates 20.

l The motor 52 has a chain drive 54 operatively connecting it to a worm gear mechanism 55 operatively connected to a cross shaft 56 supported in suitable hangers 51. Gear wheels 58 are secured to the shaft56 and engage the tracks 28, whereby when the motor 52 is operated, the gears 58 are driven and impart traveling movement to the conveyer frame upon the tracks 21 of the auxiliary frame 8.

The frame of the conveying mechanism is open on opposite sides as shown in Figure 3, whereby the main conveyer is exposed so that the grain may be fed thereto from each end of the car. It is also to be understood that the Wino conveuers One of the features of the invention resides in the means provided for feeding the grain from the ends of the car towards the main conveyer 42.

The means provided for thus feeding the grain to the main conveyer, comprises oppositely disposed wing conveyers, generally indicated by the numerals. 62 and 63. Each wing conveyer comprises two sections 64 and 65, pivotally connected together by link elements 66, as best shown in Figure 11. These links maintain the shafts 61 and 68 of each pair of conveyer sections 64 and 65 in proper spaced relation. The shafts 61 and 68 are connectedtogether for simultaneous operation by a chain drive Ii, as shown in Figure 2, whereby it is essential that the spacing between the shafts 61 and 68 be maintained substantially constant.

Each outer conveyer section 64 comprises a chain 12 mounted on suitable sprockets provided at the ends of the section. The -chains 72 have flights 13 secured thereto adapted to substantially engage the floor of the car when the sections 64 are in their horizontal positions, as shown in full lines in Figure 2, thereby to drag or convey the grain from the ends of the car to themain conveyer 42. The inner conveyer sections 65 are provided-with similar conveyer chains 14 having flights l5 thereon. The conveyer chains it of the inner sections 65 are supported at the outer ends of said sections by suitable sprockets secured to the shafts 68, and at their inner ends by suitable sprockets 76, secured to shafts 11 mounted in suitable bearings 18 and 19, as shown in Figures 1 and 14. Guide bars 10 are secured to the bottoms of the frames of the conveyer sections 64 and 65, to guide the lower edges of the flights 13 over the surface of the floor to prevent them from engaging protruding nail heads or other obstructions fixed to the surface of the floor. The guide bars 10 are of small dimension vertically, so that the flights may remove substantially all of the grain from the car floor. The bars Iii, in addition to preventing the flights from engaging protruding obstructions in the floor, also provide smooth surfaces for the flights to slide on, thereby minimizing friction and relieving the floor of wear from the flights.

As best shown in Figures 11 and 12, the adjacent ends of the conveyer sections 66 and 65 are provided with guards 8i .and 82, respectively. These guards are secured to side members 83 and 84 of the conveyer sections. Guards, generally indicated by the numeral 85, are also provided at the outer ends of the conveyer sections 64, and are secured to the side members 83 of said sections. The members 83 serve to retain the shafts of the conveyer chains in spaced relation and to provide a more or less rigid structure. Guards 86 are provided at the inner ends of the inner conveyer sections L 65, and are suitably secured to the longitudinal members 84 thereof. The inner ends of the wing conveyer sections 65 are provided on their opposite sides with longitudinally extending arms 80, the inner ends of which are pivotally. connected to the brackets 34 and 40, as shown at 30 in Figures 2 and 3. The

arms 80 permit the wing conveyers to be swung into'vertical positions over the outer portions of the conveyer frame, as indicated in the dotted lines A in Figure 2.

Drive for wing conveyers f -;The means for driving the wing conveyers is best shown in Figures 2, 8,, 9, and 10, and comprises telescoping shafts 81, having their lower ends rotatably supported in bearings 88 provided in suitable housings 88, pivotally secured to the inner guards 88 of the inner conveyer sections 85. Pinions 8| are secured to the lower ends of the telescoping shafts 81 and mesh with bevel pinions 82 secured to the shafts 11 of the inner conveyer sections, whereby when the telescoping shafts 81 are rotated, the inner conveyer sections 88 are operated which, in turn, operate the outer conveyer section 84 through the chain drives H. The telescoping shafts 81 are enclosed within suitable casings or tubular members 83.

The means for driving thetelescoping shafts 81 to operate the wing conveyers is best illustrated in Figures 8, 9, and 10 and comprises a pair of intermeshing gears 84 and 85, driven by a gear 88. The gear 88 is secured to a shaft 81, rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 88 and 88, as best shown in Figure 8. The gears 84 and 85 are secured to shafts IN and I02, respectively, having bevel gear drives, generally indicated by the numeral I08, operatively connecting them to the telescoping shafts 81, as best shown in Figure 10. The bevel gear drives I08 are enclosed within suitable housing I04, mounted for pivotal movement on a supporting plate I05 secured to the upright channel member 88 of the conveyer supporting frame. Each casing I04 has an opening I01 on one side normally closed by a plate I08 to which the tubular casings 88 of the telescoping shafts 81 are secured.

A sprocket III is secured to the shaft 81 and has a chain H2 operatively connecting it to a sprocket wheel I I8 secured to a shaft I I4, shown mounted in bearings H5 and H8 secured to an upright channel member H1 and the member 88, respectively, of the conveyer frame, as shown in Figure 5. The shaft H4 is driven from a counter shaft I I8 by a chain drive I I8. The counter shaft H8 is driven by a suitable motor I2I through a suitable belt drive I22. The motor I2I is mounted on the platform 58. The chain drive H2 is enclosed within a suitable housing I28, shown provided with a casing I24 at its upper end which encloses the gears 84, 85, and 88. A plurality of suitable controls, not shown, are provided on the operator's platform 5 I whereby the operator may conveniently control the operation of the motors 48, 52, and I2I independently of one another, thereby to control the operation of the entire apparatus.

Control means Means is provided for moving the positions of Y the wing conveyers with respect to the main conveyer 42, as shown by the full and dotted lines in Figure 2. Each wing conveyer, as hereinbefore stated, comprises two sections 84 and 85, pivotally connected together, whereby the outer sections may be adjusted to any desired angle with respect sides thereof, as best illustrated in Figure 2. The opposite ends of these cables are wound about a pair of drums I28, secured to the ends of a shaft I21 having one end connected to the driven member of a suitable clutch, generally indicated by the numeral I28. The driving member of the clutch I28 is driven by a chain drive I28, from the driving member of a similar clutch I8I. A chain I82 drives the chain I28 from the shaft 81, as best shown in Figure 8, whereby when the apparatus is in operation, the driving members of the clutches I28 and I8I are constantly driven by the chains I28 and I82.

A driven member of the clutch I8I is secured to a shaft I88, similar to the shaft I21. Drums I84 are secured to the ends of the shaft I88, and have the ends of a pair of cables I 85 wound thereabout. The opposite ends of the cables I88 have running connections with sheaves I88, provided at the outer ends of the inner conveyer sections 85, as best illustrated in Figure 2. A plate element I81 is pivotally mounted at I on each side of each conveyer section 85. The outer ends of the cables I88 are connected to the intermediate portions of said plate elements, as indicated at I40 in Figure 2. The opposite ends of each pair of plate elements I81 are tied together by suitable bars I88, which are adapted to be engaged by the outer conveyer sections 84, when the latter are folded inwardly to the dotted line positions, indicated a C in Figure 2.

Suitable brake drums I88 are provided on the clutch shafts I21 and I88 havingsuitable brake vided on the operators platform. These brake bands and operating pedals are of ordinary wellknown construction and it is therefore thought unnecessary to illustrate the same in the drawings.

The clutches I28 and I8I are provided with suit-- able operating levers Ill and I42, respectively, arranged -adjacent to the operator's platform, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, whereby an operator stationed on the platform 5I may conof the apparatus from tip to tip of the wing con veyer may be substantially equal to the inside length of an average length car, as shown in Figure 1, whereby substantially all of the grain in the car may be removed therefrom without manual labor.

When the apparatus is inoperative, the wing conveyers are folded into upright parallel relation, as shown by the dotted lines A in Figure 2, and in full lines in Figure 3. When the wing conveyers are so positioned, the overall width of the apparatus is less than the width of the car door, whereby the apparatus may readily be moved through the door opening of the car without interference. It is to be understood that the overall height of the apparatus is also such that there is sumcient head clearance over the apparatus when passing through the car door opening.

Operation In the operation of the apparatus, the usual closure for the car door opening is removed,

the grate 58. The operator then vertically adfjusts the auxiliary frame 8 by rotation of the 'hand' wheel 25, until the tracks 21 are substantially horizontally alined with the floor 28 of the will move lengthwise of the tracks car, it being understood that the car door is first alined with the unloader. The motor 52 is then started, whereupon the shaft 58 is drivenand rotates the gear wheels 58 meshing with the rack bars 28, whereby the conveying mechanism 21 and through the open car door. As the leading end of the main conveyer l2 enters the car door, the motor 49 is also started and at the same time, the motor I2I is started, so that both the main conveyer and the wing conveyers will commence to operate, even though the wing conveyers are in their nested positions. As the apparatus moves forwardly through the open car door and into the grain, the main conveyer will convey the grain from the car through the door as the machine is moved forwardly into the car. At the same time the wing conveyers, which may still be in the dotted line positions shown at A in Figure 2, may also be operating to feed grain into the main conveyer, so that the apparatus may readily be moved through the car door to the position shown in Figure 1. In some instances, it may be deemed advisable not to operate the wing conveyers until they are swung outwardly into the grain in the car.

When the apparatus has been moved into the car the required distance, the clutch I42 is p= erated, to release the cables I85, and the cables I25 are then operated, whereupon the folded wing conveyer will swing outwardly about their pivots 90, until the inner conveyer sections 55 may come to rest on the grain in the car. As the grain is discharging from the car, the conveyer section 65 will subsequently reach the horizontal position shown in Figure 2, with the outer section 64 positioned thereon, as indicated at D. When the wing conveyers are initially lowered into operative positions with the grain, they may be retained in an inclined position with the outer conveyer sections 56 still folded into parallel relation with the inner conveyer sections 65 until the inner conveyer sections 65 reach substantially a horizontal position. When so positioned, the outer conveyer sections 64 are initially swung outwardly from the position D to substantially the dotted line position, indicated at B in Figure 2, by manipulation of the clutch lever MI. When conveyer section 65 reaches position B, clutch lever I42 is manipulated, whereby the cable I35 will operate plate elements I31 and thereby cause them to swing conveyer section 84 into position C. The cable I25 is then operated by manipulation of the clutch lever I4I, thereby to lower the outer conveyer sections 64 into contact with the grain in the car. Conveyer section 64 will eventually reach a horizontal position, when the grain in the car has been removed therefrom, as willreadily be understood by reference to Figure 2.

The plate elements I31 thus cooperate with the cables I35 to swing the outer conveyer sections 64 out of parallel relation with the inner conveyer sections 65, as shown by the dotted line positions B and C in Figure 2, after such swinging movement has initially been started by operation of the cable I25. This results because of the bar I38 at the outer ends of the plate elements I31, engaging the outer conveyer section 64 and thereby swinging it upwardly from position B to the vertical position shown at C in Figure 2. It is'to be understood that during section 64' fromposition B to position'C, the cables I25 may be released. The downward movement of the conveyer sections 64 and 85 is controlled by manipulation of the brakes I38 provided on the clutch shafts I29 and I33.

It is to be understood that the plate elements I31 are so arranged with respect to the foldable wing conveyer section 84, that when said section is folded over and against the inner conveyer section 65, as shown at D in Figure 2, the weight of the conveyer section 84 on the rod I38 of the plate elements I31, will prevent the section 64 from unfolding, when the cables I35 are initially operated to upwardly tilt the folded conveyer sections 64 and 65, whereby the two sections 84 and 85 may be simultaneously folded upwardly to position A. During folding movement of conveyer section 64, from position 0 to position D, the load is transferred from cables I25 to cables F35, and the latter may then be operated to gradually lower the outer section 64 into folded position D, against section '65. It is to be understood that the weight of the swingable end of section 64 may be carried by rod I38 of plate elements 37, when said section swings inwardly from position C. It will thus be seen that it mayrequire manipulation of both cables I25 and I35 in the operation of unfolding and folding th wing conveyer sections 64 and 65.

By referring to Figures 2 and 11, it will be noted that the guards 8i and 82 at the adjacent ends of the wing conveyer sections 64 and 55, respectively, are provided with means whereby the outer conveyer sections 64, when swung upwardly and inwardly over the inner conveyer section 55, will always be under control; This results because the guards 8| of the outer conveyer sections 64 are provided with peripheral teeth MiLadapted to be received in sockets I45 provided in the peripheries of the adjacent guards such outward swinging of the outer conveyer 82. The connecting links 66 retain the shafts 61 and 68 in accurately spaced relation, so that the teeth I of the outer conveyer sections will register with the sockets I45, in a manner similar to a pair of gears, as will be clearly understood by reference to Figure 2. I

The apparatus has been found very practical and eflicient in operation. Because of its unique construction, a single operator may conveniently control the operation of the entire apparatus, and unload substantially all of the grain from a car in a comparatively short period of time, with the exception of the usual sweepings remaining around the lower corners of the car. As previously stated, the wing conveyers operate continually, regardless of whether they are folded into compact nested relation, as shown at A in Figure 2, or whether in the positions shown at D, B or C in Figure 2. When all of the grain has been removed from the car, the wing conveyers are folded into upright parallel relation substantially as shown at A in Figure 2, whereby the operator may readily propel the apparatus from the car by manipulation of the controls of the motor 49. Also, because of the unique construction of the.

gage the grain and move it into the main conveyer so tha may be truly said that the apparatus actually eats its way into the grain in the loaded car, after it is moved forwardly thereinto. This is important and economir'es in labor in that it does not require that a portion of the contents of the car be initially manually removed therefrom in order to make room in the loaded car for the apparatus, which is more or less common in conventional car unloading apparatus. The apparatus thus requires a minimum of labor and greatly facilitates and simplifies the operation of unloading cars. 1

I claim as my invention: a

l. A car unloader comprising a supporting frame, a main conveyer operatively mounted on said frame, wing conveyers disposed transversely to said main conveyer and each comprising a plurality of hinged together sections adapted to engage and convey grain from the ends of the car to the main conveyer, the sections of each wing conveyers being adapted to be folded into parallel relation, a driving mechanism for the wing conveyers, and means whereby the wing conveyers may be operated regardless of their positions with respect to the main conveyer.

2. A car unloader comprising a supporting frame adapted to be projected through an open car door, a main conveyer on said frame for discharging grain from the car through the car door, oppositely disposed wing conveyers adapted to convey grain from the ends of the car to the main conveyer, each wing conveyer comprising a plurality of transversely disposed flights adapted to move over the surface of the car floor to convey the grain to the main conveyer, a plurality of thin bars secured to each wing conveyer and cooperating to form tracks or guides for the flights of said wing conveyers to prevent said flights from directly engaging the car flpor, and means for simultaneously driving the main conveyer and said wing conveyers.

3. A car unloader comprising a conveyer supporting frame having means for projecting it through an open car door, a main conveyer on said frame for discharging grain from the car through its open door, oppositely disposed wing conveyers operatively associated with the main conveyer and adapted to deliver grain thereto from the ends of the car, each of said wing conveyers comprising pivotally connected sections adapted to be folded into parallel relation in a horizontal position, means whereby each wing conveyer, when its sections are folded into parallel relation, may be folded into a vertical position on the supporting frame to facilitate transporting the apparatus, and means for driving said wing conveyers regardless of their positions with 1 respect to the main conveyer.

4. A car unloader comprising a conveyer supporting frame, an operator's station, a main conveyer supported on said frame, oppositely disposed wing conveyers adapted to be extended into the ends of a car to convey grain therefrom to the main conveyer, each wing conveyer comprising inner and outer sections pivotally connected together and having a driving connection therebetween, each inner conveyer section having in- .wardly extending arms pivoted to the supporting frame, whereby the wing conveyers, when the sections thereof are folded into parallel relation, may be folded to positions within the confines of the supporting frame to facilitate transporting the apparatus, means pivoted to the inner section of each wing conveyer for outwardly swinging the outer section thereof, said pivoted means comprising a pair of plate elements, one pivoted to each side of each inner section, and the plate elements of each pair of said elements having means at their outer ends for engaging the outer ends of a car to convey grain therefrom to the main conveyer, each wing conveyer comprising inner and outer sections pivotally connected together and having a driving connection therebetween, each inner conveyer section having in. wardly extending arms pivoted to the lower portion of the supporting frame, whereby the wing conveyers, when the sections thereof are folded into parallel relation, may be folded to positions within the confines of thesupporting frame to facilitate transporting the apparatus, a pair of plate elements pivoted to the inner section of each wing conveyer for outwardly swinging the outer section thereof, said elements having means at their outer ends for engaging the outer sections to swing them into extended positions, cables connected to said plate elements and to the outer sections of each wing conveyer and having running connections with suitable drums, clutches for operating said drums, and means at the operators station for controlling the operation of said clutches and whereby the pivotal movement of the wing conveyers may be conveniently controlled.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a conveyer frame comprising aplurality of conveyers and equipped with suitable carrying wheels, an auxiliary frame having tracks thereon upon which said wheels may travel, a fixed support for the auxiliary frame having means thereon for vertically adjusting the auxiliary frame to aline the wheels of the conveyer frame with the floor of a box car, and means on the conveyer frame for bridging the gap between the tracks on the auxiliary frame, and the floor of the box car, whereby the conveyer frame may readily be moved into or out of the car.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a frame comprising a main conveyer and a plurality of sectional wing conveyers disposed at right angles to the main conveyer, the sections of each wing conveyer being adapted to be folded upon themselves into parallel relation, and said wing conveyer also being adapted to be folded into upright positions to permit the apparatus to pass through a car door, means for extending the wing conveyers into the ends of a car to convey grain therefrom to the main conveyer, means for supporting the conveyer-frame adjacent to a grain car, said means comprising a flxed support having an auxiliary frame mounted thereon upon which the conveyer supporting frame is mounted for traveling movement, means for vertically adjusting the auxiliary frame upon the flxed support, thereby to aline the conveyersupporting frame with the floor of the car, and means secured to the front end of the conveyer supporting frame for guiding the front end of said frame into the car.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a frame comprising a main conveyer and a plurality of wing conveyers disposed at right angles to the main conveyer, means for extending the wing conveyers into the ends of a car to convey mam s20 grain therefromto the main conveyer, means for supporting the conveyer supportingframe in inoperative position exterlorly of the car, said means comprising. fixed support having an auxiliary frame mounted thereon upon which the conveyer supporting frame is mounted for traveling movement, means for vertically adjusting the auxiliary frame upon the fixed support, thereby to sline the conveyer frame with the floor of the 

